A Vision Acceptable to God

At times men behave as if God existed in a perpetual state of crisis--going from one issue to the next totally dependent on man to achieve those thing of which He, God, is in dire need. We tend to think that if we fail to achieve those things the huge segments of God's plans will collapse. We forget Who is really in charge and are so blinded with the natural mind that we find it difficult to see in the spirit. God suffers no stress, has no traumas nor does He live in fearful anxiety that His plans will not succeed. He said: Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure; Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country; yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it' (Isaiah 46:9-11).

The final results of much of what we are commissioned to do is hidden in the counsels of eternity. Man likes to see results because it gives him a sense of accomplishment. God's idea of a job well done and ours might be two different things. It's just possible that we enjoy the glow of appreciation, accolades by men and seeing monuments built that bear our imprint if not our name. Whereas God has little use or interest in such things.

It seems that Abraham's vision began to change with the passing of years. Whereas he seemed earlier in his life to be consumed with having an heir (even to having a child by Sarah's handmaiden), according to the account in Hebrews he was more intent on the Heavenly City which his finite mind was gradually seeing.

Is it possible much of the busyness to which we commit our lives in the name of Christ will actually be consumed in the fire of judgment at the Judgment Seat of Christ? What impact will parties, picnics, exercise rooms, retreats on successful living, etc. ultimately have on eternity. Are these things just busy things calculated to hold the saints together in hope that some spark will be lit transforming them into the spiritual people we would like?

Perhaps God is looking for a people of whom He will not be ashamed to be called their God. These are people 'Who through faith, subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again, and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection: and others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover, of bonds and imprisonment; they were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tested, were slain with the sword; they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented (of whom the world was not worthy); they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And these all, having received witness through faith, received not the promise, God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect' (Hebrews 11:33-40).

God give us a vision not couched in human advantage or adornment that we might hear you say: 'Well done thou good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your reward' when our days are finished on this earth.

Jeff